Focal Mistral 136KX

Price Paid:  $250.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
 165V Polyglass

Summary:
I would definately recommend these to anyone. I got a realy good deal on mine though as the retail for 400. I plan on keping these a long time. Some people like the Polykevlars better, but these are extremely good also and cost less. The only comps I ever plan on geting beside these are Dynas, Focal Utopias, ID Horns, or a/d/s/ 336s. I LOVE these thing. They sing with 60 watts from my Xtant 3300c. They mix with my IDQ great.

Strengths:
They were a very god price. They have the best midbass I have ever had in my car. They are built very well. The basket is cast and the magnet has a rubber boot on it. The surround is big. They look like little Sub Woofers. They have some of the best midrange I have heard. The tweet is warm without being overly bright.

Weaknesses:
The crossovers aren't very pretty. HA HA!

Similar Products Used:
JL XR 2 way and 3 way comps, dynaudio, alpine, mtx, RF, Xtant(Morel), SOny.

Year / Model Reviewed:
 polykevlar

Summary:
they are the most natural sounding speakers i have ever heard. a lot of people complain about the price, but i recieved mine at dealer accomidation price, $350.

Strengths:
great SQ, always had problems with the highs of seperates being too "harsh". these are perfect.

Weaknesses:
i have not yet found any problems with the seperates.

Similar Products Used:
planet audio, kicker impulse, clarion, pioneer, kendwood, dynaudio, mb quart, none of them really compare expect for dyn.

Year / Model Reviewed:
 utopia 165W

Summary:
Absolutely fantastic speakers. I think that when you hit this end of audio, personal preferance starts to kick in. Every car is different and will sound totally different. I love the Focals in my car. It was a tough decision between the Dynaudios and the Focals, but I'm happy with my decision. The speakers are couped with twin JL audio 10W6 subs in the trunk, and the system sounds very clear and response is linear, except for a small dip around 100 HZ (need to pass the sub over a little bit higher, but the PPI amp has a fixed X-over at 90 Hz).

Regardless of what speakers you get, make sure to properly seal the doors. A few cars actually have very well sealed doors orm the factory (i.e. VWs and Audis) and will save you a fair chucnk of change when getting the doors damped.

If you are looking at highend speakers for your car, definitely give these a look.

Strengths:
fantastic clairity, reliability, imaging, smooth crossovers from mid-bass to tweeters.

Weaknesses:
Perhaps a tiny bit "warm" when compared to Dynaudios, FRIGGIN' expensive!

Similar Products Used:
BA, MB Quatz

Price Paid:  $800.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
 Focal Utopia

Summary:
Definitely better than Dynaudio, Morel, Stupid MB Quart, A/D/S. It's just perfect. A real utopia for an audiophile. I drive the speakers with an Audison VRx 2.250, and Nakamichi CD-45Z HU.

Ps. For Dynaudio lovers "Have you ever tried Focal Utopia Before ?? Try it and you'll throw your Dynaudio away. But anyway it depends on your taste.

Strengths:
Clarity, Thick sound, Detail.

Weaknesses:
Too expensive (more expensive than Dynaudio 240)

Similar Products Used:
Dynaudio 240

Summary:
hooked up with my milbert tube amp, no quality is descent, way behind my a/d/s 335.2is. I only used it for 5 hrs and took it off and put my a/d/s 335.2is back on. The a/d/s sounds much better. (I used to have the dynaudio mk 220 but sold it after I bought my a/d/s). After 5 hrs of using the focal, I immediately put them on ebay.

Strengths:
None

Weaknesses:
crappy sound compare to a/d/s and dynaudio. But still much better than the stupid mb quart q series (ear-drum breaking speakers with super high and no vocal)

Similar Products Used:
a/d/s, dynaudio